Fact of the day

At the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Fritz Thiedemann - who had commanded a German cavalry unit during World War Two before being captured towards the end and interned in a Russian prison camp - created a unique piece of history. The farmer's son earned bronze medals in both individual show jumping and team dressage to become the only rider in Olympic history to win medals in two equestrian disciplines at the same Games. He went on to gold medals in team jumping at the 1956 Olympics, when the equestrian events were held in Stockholm, and Rome 1960. The Thiedemann rein is named after him.

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University of Oklahoma head coach to lead USA women’s basketball team at Kazan 2013

Wednesday, 13 March 2013

By James Crook

March 13 - University of Oklahoma head women's coach Sherri Coale will embark on her first head coaching role with USA Basketball this summer, as it was announced that she will lead the USA women's team at the Kazan 2013 Universiade.

Coale has previously experience with the nation's governing body for the sport, serving as an assistant for the 2001 USA Junior World Championship Team who took bronze and as a USA Basketball Women's Collegiate Committee member from 2005 to 2008.

"It was an absolute honour to serve USA Basketball as both an assistant coach and a selection committee member," Coale said.

"Representing our country via this sport that I love is the ultimate opportunity-an opportunity that I don't take lightly and one that I am humbled to accept."

Brian Giorgis, head coach of Marist College, and Coquese Washington, head coach at Pennsylvania State University, will assist Coale, as selected by USA Basketball Women's Junior National Team Committee and approved by the USA Basketball Board of Directors.

University of Oklahoma Sooners head coach Sherri Coale will lead the USA women's team at Kazan 2013

"In addition to the experience of coaching some of our country's finest collegiate athletes, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work alongside of Brian and Coquese." said Coale

"I have great respect for each of these coaches, not only for the programs they have built on their respective campuses, but also for their ambassadorship of our game.

"I look forward to learning from them and working with them to make this an amazing experience for the student athletes we will lead into international competition."

Team USA women's basketball team dominated at the 2011 Universiade in Shenzhen, winning every single game before defeating Chinese Taipei by 101-66 in the final to win gold.

They are also the most successful women's basketball team at the Universiade, winning eight gold medals, six silvers and one bronze medal in the 16 they have competed in.

Trials for the team are due to take place from May 16-19 at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, prior to a final training camp from June 25 at the same venue, and the commencement of the Games on July 6.

Contact the writer of this story at james.crook@insidethegames.biz

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